Educational Presentation

Program Overview Provide information on The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Describe blood cancers Explain Pennies for Patients

About the Society The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is the world’s largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research and providing education and patient services. The Society is a non-profit organization.

About the Society Mission: To cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families.

Advancing the Mission Research Funding Patient Services

Research Funding Since the first funding in 1954, the Society has awarded over $550 million in research grants. Now at about $68 million annually, the Society’s grant programs are among the most prestigious in the fields of hematology and oncology.

Patient Services Family Support Groups First Connection peer-to-peer support Financial Aid Educational Programs/Materials The Trish Green Back to School Program Information Resource Center

Cancer- Defined A general term for diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control and do not properly carry out their normal function. Cancer is not contagious.

Blood Cancers Leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma are cancers that originate in the bone marrow or lymphatic tissues. An estimated 823,000 people are currently living with blood cancers in the US.

Blood Cancers- Statistics Approximately every five minutes, someone is diagnosed with a blood cancer. Every ten minutes, someone dies from a blood cancer.

Blood Cancers Of the new cases of blood cancers diagnosed in 2007, an estimated: 14% were myeloma 33% were leukemia 53% were lymphoma

Blood Cancers- Diagnosis Specialized laboratory tests (blood, urine) Biopsies (lymph node, bone marrow) Imaging scans (CAT, PET, MRI, X-Rays)

Components of Blood Blood Stem Cells Platelets Red Blood Cells White Blood Cells Monocytes Neutrophils Eosinophils Basophils Lymphocytes

Blood Cell Chart

Leukemia- Defined Leukemia is a disease of the bone marrow, the spongy center of bones that makes blood cells. In leukemia, the body makes too many abnormal (cancerous) white blood cells.

Leukemia- Types Four main types include: ALL- Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia AML- Acute Myelogenous Leukemia CLL- Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia CML- Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia

Leukemia- Signs and Symptoms Easy bruising or bleeding Due to lack of platelets Paleness or easy fatigue Due to lack of red blood cells Recurrent infections Due to lack of functioning white blood cells No symptoms

Leukemia- Causes and Incidence The cause is not known; however, long term exposure to certain chemicals and large doses of radiation can cause the disease. Leukemia is most common among adults over age 67. Although cancer is rare in children, leukemia causes more deaths than any other type of cancer in people under the age of 20.

Leukemia- Treatment Chemotherapy Immunotherapy Stem Cell Transplants “Watch and Wait” Clinical Trials Radiation Targeted therapy

Leukemia- Survival Survival rates, overall, are higher in children than in adults. In 1964, the five-year survival rate for children under age 15 was only 3%. By 2001, it had improved to 86% due to the advancements in treatment made possible by research.

Lymphoma- Defined A group of related types of blood cancer. In lymphomas, the abnormal (cancerous) white blood cells develop in the lymphatic system.

Lymphatic System

Lymphoma- Types Hodgkin’s Disease Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma B-cell lymphoma (14 different types) NK cell lymphoma T-cell lymphoma Immunodeficiency-associated or post- transplant lymphoproliferative disorders

Lymphoma- Signs and Symptoms Painless swelling of lymph nodes in the neck, armpits or groin area Persistent fatigue Recurrent high fever Night sweats Weight loss/loss of appetite Bone pain Excessive itching No symptoms

Lymphoma- Causes and Incidence The cause is not known, although long term exposure to certain chemicals and large doses of radiation can cause the disease. The risk of NHL increases with age. The highest incidence of Hodgkin’s is among people between ages Organ transplants or HIV/AIDS can increase risk. NHL is the 5 th most common type of cancer in the US.

Lymphoma- Treatment Chemotherapy Immunotherapy Stem Cell Transplants “Watch and Wait” Clinical Trials Radiation Monoclonal Antibodies

Lymphoma- Survival Hodgkin lymphoma is considered one of the most curable forms of cancer Five-year survival rates for NHL are around 60%; however, this varies depending on a person’s age, other medical problems and the type of NHL.

Myeloma- Defined Myeloma is a type of blood cancer. Myeloma and melanoma are not the same type of cancer. Myeloma is a cancer of plasma cells (type of white blood cell), which are part of the body’s immune system.

Myeloma- Plasma Cells

Myeloma- Types Solitary Myeloma Smoldering Myeloma Multiple Myeloma Related diseases include: Macroglobulinemia Primary amyloidosis POEMS Syndrome Heavy Chain Disease Essential Monoclonal Gammopathy

Myeloma- Signs & Symptoms Bone pain Fatigue Recurrent infections Kidney problems No symptoms

Myeloma- Causes & Incidence Causes of myeloma are not well understood. 86% of cases of myeloma occur in adults over age 55. For unknown reasons, myeloma occurs most frequently: In men Within the African American population

Myeloma- Treatments Chemotherapy Radiation Stem Cell Transplant Clinical Trials

Myeloma- Survival Myeloma is the most difficult blood cancer to successfully treat. Five-year survival rates are only about 32%.

What You Can Do Support affected friends and family members by : Talking with them about their illness Respecting their feelings and wishes Helping them access informational and supportive services Offering to help with specific tasks Being there Being informed

Pennies for Patients National community service project Students donate their spare change 17 th annual campaign in Minnesota More than $100 million has been raised nationally, $3.9 million locally

Purpose of Pennies for Patients 1.Raise funds to find a cure 2.Teach students the power of giving together 3.Give students the opportunity to experience empathy in action

2008 Honored Heroes Meet Akaysha

Pennies for Patients Details This year, 800 local schools are signed up to raise $650,000 for research and patient programs Schools can win a Domino’s Pizza® Party for their top fundraising class Bring your donations to school

The Power of the Penny Thank you for making a difference in the lives of blood cancer patients!